EK breaking up badly - Ignition issue?


terry_em1

terry_em1

Active Member
Joined
May 12, 2013
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681
Car(s)
EM1 Civic
I've already posted this issue on Honda-Tech, but I'm not getting any responses, so I thought I'd ask here too.

To give you a rundown on whats happening, my Civic doesn't rev all the way to redline. Instead it breaks up around 6,500 to 7,000 and I'm forced to shift. The sound coming from the exhaust sounds like a small gun too.

The issue started a few months ago. At that time, the car already has new plugs, new leads, and a decat. I've also cleaned the VTEC solenoid and replaced all the gaskets for new OEM ones. Someone said its the solenoid. I cleaned it already. Theres no debris on the mesh, so that rules the solenoid out. Seen some people say my cat is possibly clogged. Thats not possible since the issue appeared with a decat installed.

The component that seems to be the culprit is the distributor. I've already swapped the rotor for a new one, and the coil for a NGK replacement.

385780264_3198077857159343_3555171497084036383_n.jpg


You can see how badly corroded the OEM one is.

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Little hotspot.

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With the new coil in, the car is still 'broken'. I couldn't replace the ignition module, even though I have the correct part. I bought an OBD2 ignition module, as shown in the photo. I even checked if I had an OBD2 distributor, which I do. Checked the wiring harness plug too. The distributor in the car currently has an OBD1 ignition module wedged inside. I watched YouTube tutorials before disassembling the distributor and the module is suppose to slide out easily. I inspected the module and its definitely an OBD1 and pliers can't make it budge.

I still need to order a new cap from Honda, but is there anything else I can try? Am I fixing the correct part or am I wasting my money?

Heres a video of the issue. Listen carefully to the sound of the car.

 
Have you tried an injector cleaner? Seems like it rev's smoothly until high rpms? Also not sure if it would cause the issues but have your cleaned your IACV?

My ek9 had a little bit of lag in reving recently and when I cleaned the IACV filter (which was clogged) it fixed my small issue.
 
Hi, Does the car rev freely in neutral? Maybe wiring issue /VTEC solenoid, Have you checked the wiring to the solenoid
As above, check injector/s,
Also the map sensor on throttle body.
 
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Dcharles_Ek9 said:
Have you tried an injector cleaner? Seems like it rev's smoothly until high rpms? Also not sure if it would cause the issues but have your cleaned your IACV?

My ek9 had a little bit of lag in reving recently and when I cleaned the IACV filter (which was clogged) it fixed my small issue.
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Starts happening at 6,500 or around there. I wouldn't think its fuel related, since the car has small backfires coming out of the exhaust.
The car idles fine, so I wouldn't immediately think its the IACV.
 
ScottEk9 said:
Hi, Does the car rev freely in neutral? Maybe wiring issue /VTEC solenoid, Have you checked the wiring to the solenoid
As above, check injector/s,
Also the map sensor on throttle body.
Click to expand...
Yes, it does. I'll check the solenoid. Not too long ago I completely disassembled it and cleaned it. New gaskets too. I've no engine light either.
This is one thing I haven't checked. The MAP sensor. It sits on top of my throttle body right? Do I clean it or what?
 
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terry_em1 said:
Yes, it does. I'll check the solenoid. Not too long ago I completely disassembled it and cleaned it. New gaskets too. I've no engine light either.
This is one thing I haven't checked. The MAP sensor. It sits on top of my throttle body right? Do I clean it or what?
Click to expand...
Yes, thats the one, replace, trial and error they aren't expensive, also here is a video to check the throttle position sensor
.

When was the fuel filter last changed?
 
ScottEk9 said:
Yes, thats the one, replace, trial and error they aren't expensive, also here is a video to check the throttle position sensor
.

When was the fuel filter last changed?
Click to expand...
Changed the fuel filter 4 months ago.
 
Found the issue while rebuilding the distributor, so I can drive the car for the day. Its the cap. I sanded the points again and cleaned the cap. With everything back together, I took the car for a spin. It revs all the way to 8,000 with no misfire.

I'm having someone order me a new cap from Honda in Japan, along with a few more bits. Does anyone know why the cap gets that white buildup so quickly? I honestly haven't done that much mileage.
 
terry_em1 said:
Found the issue while rebuilding the distributor, so I can drive the car for the day. Its the cap. I sanded the points again and cleaned the cap. With everything back together, I took the car for a spin. It revs all the way to 8,000 with no misfire.

I'm having someone order me a new cap from Honda in Japan, along with a few more bits. Does anyone know why the cap gets that white buildup so quickly? I honestly haven't done that much mileage.
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The white build up quickly is completely normal. It's very similar to the white build up on spark plug tips. It's going to happen as soon as it's used.
 
Civicfacelift said:
good to see you've found the issue.. B series sounds lovely building up to vtec
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A lot of people love my exhaust setup haha. I'll have to get someone to film an outside clip one of these days.

At least thats one issue sorted and I can start modding again before the next track day at Mondello.
 
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